New services for hearing impaired at Service NSW

NSW citizens with impaired hearing can now access hearing loops, plus video conferencing technology with remote Auslan interpreting and live-captioning, at six Service NSW centres.

From December, Auslan interpreting and live captioning will be available at Service NSW in Parramatta, Blacktown, Liverpool, Newcastle, Wollongong and Tweed Heads. The new video conferencing technology connects customers in real time with:

a caption transcriber to live-caption their conversation with the Service NSW team member

an Auslan interpreter to communicate between the customer and Service NSW team member in Auslan.

Hearing loops will also be available at the Parramatta and Blacktown centres. Hearing loops cut background noise for customers with hearing aids.

The NSW Government plans to expand video conferencing and hearing loop services to up to 80 locations by mid-2017.

Minister for Finance, Services and Property Dominic Perrottet said the new services build on accessibility features already in place across the Service NSW network.

“Customers remain at the heart of everything that Service NSW does, and we are continuing to improve the customer experience for all people in NSW,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Making smart use of technology is a big part of our customer service ethos, and this initiative harnesses technology to make visiting a Service NSW Centre more convenient for hearing impaired citizens,” he said

Minister for Disability Services John Ajaka said the initiative would give people with impaired hearing more independence when visiting Service NSW centres.

“The NSW Government is working hard to make NSW a more inclusive and accessible place to live and work for everyone, including people with disability. This important initiative from Service NSW will make a real difference to the lives of people with disability,” Mr Ajaka said.